Rumour
August 2026
Southland Vintage Car Club
Donald Ward speaking about his 1929 Chrevrolet at the July Meeting.
Crowd at the Clubrooms after the combined VCC SSCC trial
Next Meeting - Thursday 27th August, 7:30pm - Ariki Lodge Guest Speaker - Lindsay Buckingham from Southern Steam Trust Wednesday Run - September 2nd
Chairman’s Report I’m writing this from the Palmerston North airport, on our way home from the 80th National AGM. Today we visited NZ wheelwright legend, Vern Jensen of Aotearoa Wooden Wheels – he was a sheep and beef farmer who took up making wheels in his later life (84 now); he has an amazing set-up and it was great to see the many ‘number 8 wire’ inventions he has made & adapted to manufacture his wheels. I’ll give a full report at this month’s monthly meeting, but here are a few bits and pieces. The weekend kicked off on Friday night with the Delegate Conference – this used to be the Executive meeting; feedback was given on how branches preformed with their new reporting requirements under the new Incorporated Societies Act; only six branches have done this correctly and I’m pleased to say that our branch was one of them!
Vern Jensen
The rest of the evening was spent going over the 2026-2027 budget and forecasts beyond – more on that at the meeting. This year’s AGM was surprisingly uneventful – completely different to last year. Election of Officers 2026-2027 In accordance with the Club Constitution, an election will not be necessary as the number of nominations received did not exceed the officer positions. PRESIDENT: George Kear CLUB CAPTAIN - NORTH ISLAND: Tracey Winterbottom CLUB CAPTAIN -SOUTH ISLAND: Mark Wilkinson REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES Upper North Island (UNI): Ian Goldingham Central North Island (CNI): Clive Taylor Lower North Island (LNI): Glyn Clements Upper South Island: (USI): Andy Fox Central South Island: (CSI): Rebecca George Lower South Island: (LSI): Glenys McKenzie Candidates for Appointed Officers SECRETARY/TREASURER: Murray Trounson REGISTRAR: Neil Beckenham SPEED STEWARD: Ray Sanders BEADED WHEELS EDITOR: Kevin Clarkson John L Goddard Trophy – there were three nominations for this award, however National Office decided that none met the requirements of the award, and it was not presented. Kevin Clarkson (Editor of the Beaded Wheels since 2002) was awarded a Life Membership.
Chairman’s Report (cont) Kaaren Smylie was awarded the Presidential Award for her work since 2017 on the National Rally Day (cancer run). I hope you are all polishing up your vehicles and will be down at Macaulay Ford early on Sunday to get a space in the display area. Our rally starts at 1.30pm and ends at the clubrooms – please remember to bring a packet of biscuits to build up supplies in the kitchen.
Secretary’s Notes The Mid-Winter meal was held on Sunday 9 August 2026. 41 people enjoyed a two-course meal catered by Cherilios. It was so enjoyable I forgot to take the customary photos. Join us at Christmas for a repeat with our December Christmas meal. Date to be confirmed. We have no Social Convenor or volunteers to run our kitchen for meals after our rallies. We have options to consider if no-one comes forward including no meals or having a caterer come in which of course will be at an increased cost. We have a few months to consider this. Our long-time banker SBS (Southland Building Society) have advised us that they are nolonger accepting cash deposits. Our treasurer deposits the cash bar takings each week. SBS advises we can deposit at Westpac. If any of you use Westpac services, you will know how difficult it is to get to the Westpac Branch located in the Invercargill Central Mall. We will be looking at options including using the ANZ bank that provides our EFTPOS facilities. New Members this month: John Warren and David Hart. John Warren has a 1924 Crossley undergoing restoration, a 1965 Jaguar and a 1929 Morris Cowley. David Hart has a 1970 Mini Moke. Welcome to our branch and we look forward to meeting you at our clubrooms. Registrars Newsletter: The Vehicle Identity Card (VIC) Application and the Date of Manufacturer Authenticity Statement (DOMAS) Form A has been updated. They are available to be downloaded from the VCC website at www.vcc.org.nz. The current version is dated 10 July 2026. By using this version, Head Office can ensure that all essential information required for the NZTA approved Vehicle Identification Card system is captured accurately and consistently. Reminder if you no-longer require a posted copy of the Rumour, let me know. We have 308 members and I email 229 members a copy of the Rumour as soon as it is written. The email version is easier to read, either on your computer or if you print it at home as it is in A4 format. Posted copies are printed in A5 format and take up to a week to be delivered. We are always looking for volunteers to clean, put your name on the roster on the noticeboard or if you have any ideas for guest speakers at our monthly club meetings, let a committee member know. Our guest speaker for the August club meeting is Lindsay Buckingham from the Southern Steam Trust who are restoring a steam locomotive, F150 here in Invercargill. Our guest speaker for September will be Rick Michels from Evolution Motorsport.
SVCC and SSCC Car Trial and Social Night - 25th July 2026 A great turnout of 71 people who made up 21 teams. The Car Trial started at the Vintage Car Club and after a short run with no gravel returned back to the Club. The instructions had questions about signs and buildings to answer to make the trial more interesting. On return the navigator answered 8 general knowledge questions. A mystery items table had six different items for teams to identify what they thought they could be. We got some funny and various answers. Donald Ward’s Team won the Car Trial Cup and was overall winner. Aidian Weaver’s Team was runner up. Elaine Petrie was the best navigator. Aidian Weaver’s Team was the winner of our mystery items table. Special thanks to Annie & Phill Marshall for a wonderful array of finger food and to the barman, Russell Jenkins, for coming in early to start the fire so it was nice and warm. A very special thanks to Carol McGarry for helping us tabulate the results. Many thanks to all who participated. Nev and Noelene Coutts.
Overall winner Donald Ward
Runner up Aiden Weaver
Angus receiving Elaine’s best navigator award.
5th August Wednesday Run On a sunny, crisp morning 47 people in 23 cars left the Racecourse then right into Findlay Rd, Mill Rd, Flora Rd to Branxholme/Makarewa turnoff, Lochiel Bridge Rd, over to Norman Rd, turning at Browns Rd and heading over to Mataura/Winton Highway, exiting at Brydone and left onto Coalpit Rd, then right onto Pioneer Tavern, Edendale for a delicious meal. Gerry won a bottle of wine, courtesy of MLT for his Hillman. (Car of the Day)
Coming Events 22nd August 2026 - Street Machines Zone 11 Mystery Cruise. Details – Greg 027 874 786 23th August 2026 - Daffodil Day run. 29th – 30th August 2026 - Round the Takis Motorcycle Run 2nd - 3rd October 2026 - Central Otago VCCNZ 80th Anniversary Rally 2nd - 4th October 2026 - 54th Dunvegan Motorcycle Run - entries available end of August 3rd October 2026 - Post Vintage/Post War Rally 3rd - 4th October 2026 – Horsepower Rally, Timaru www.kylepark.nz 11th October 2026 - Bathurst Day at Clubrooms 7th November 2026 – Commercial Rally 21st November 2026 - 60th Arrowtown Motorcycle Rally. February 2027 - National Motorcycle Rally - South Canterbury Branch. February 2027 Central Otago Gold Motorcycle Rally 6th February 2027 – Southland Rally 6th March 2027 – Veteran/Vintage Rally 13th - 20th March 2027 - National Model A Rally is being held in Blenheim. 26th - 27th March - National South Island Easter Rally in Dunedin - entry forms available. 8th May 2027 – Waimea Rally 15th May 2027 - Post 60/80 Rally
Daffodil Rally for Cancer - Sunday 23 August 2026 Come and join us for a show and run starting at Macaulay Ford Motors, Dee Street, Invercargill. Display your vehicle from 10am with the run starting at 1.30pm and ending at the Southland Vintage Car Club Rooms for afternoon tea. Sausage Sizzle before the run and our bar and parts shed will be open. $20 Entry fee, all vehicles welcome. Enquiries to Nev Coutts 027 896 1497. Members, please bring a packet of biscuits for the afternoon tea.
Daffodil Delivery - 24th August The Southland Branch will once again be delivering pre ordered daffodils for the Cancer Society on Monday August 24th, probably late morning or early afternoon. 8 vehicles are required. If you can help please let Gerry know on 021 029 85620.
Wednesday Run - 2nd September The VCC Wednesday Run is on 2nd September, 2026 - leaving the Racecourse by 10.30am. Cost: $25 pp Please ring Elaine or Angus on 03 212 8956 or 027 310 4239 by Sunday evening prior.
Round the Takis Motorcycle Run 29th – 30th August 2026
It’s getting close to that time of the year again where you need to clean up the riding gear and earn the brownie points for a weekend of riding and gossip. Leaving the White House on Sat 29th at 10am continuing on for a lunch stop then on to Te Anau for the night, then after a siesta it’s out for an evening meal. I have some rooms put aside for accommodation, reservation for meals – both lunch and tea for which I will need to know numbers for these by the 24th August. I can be contacted on either 03 2179667 or 02102951296 or email mccpac1@gmail.com.
Central Otago Gold Motorcycle Rally February 2027 Thinking of traveling to the VCC National Motorcycle Rally and associated hub rally being held in Timaru between 12th - 18th February 2027? Or maybe the Burt Munro Challenge being held in Invercargill between 10th - 14th of February 2027? Are you aware that the Central Otago branch of the VCC is holding its annual Central Otago Gold Motorcycle Rally on the 20th February 2027? You may want to consider adding the Central Otago Gold Motorcycle Rally into your travel plans. Full rally details will be advertised later in Beaded Wheels, but if you require preliminary details for travel planning, they can be obtained by calling Ken Roberts on 021 369413. email kbcroberts@xtra.co.nz
Central Otago VCCNZ 80th Anniversary Rally 2nd - 3rd October The Committee of the Central Otago Branch, have organised a two-day event to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand. Day one is a cruise across Lake Wakatapu on the historic TSS Earnslaw, to partake of a gourmet BBQ lunch. Day two is a non-competitive rally style event starting in Cromwell and motoring through to Cambrians to view the Blue Bell and Daffodil Dell, before moving on to the historic Vulcan Hotel in St Bathans for lunch. We cordially invite members of other branches to participate in these events.
Hillclimbs The following speed events are scheduled this year: 1. Saturday 17th October: Summit Road, Gebbies Pass, Banks Peninsula Branch 2. Sunday 18th October: Kinlock Road, Little River, Banks Peninsula Branch. 3. Sunday 8th November: Hawkswood, North Canterbury, Banks Peninsula Branch. 4. Saturday 28th November: Coronet Peak Hillclimb, Queenstown. Queenstown Car Club have kindly invited a field of 12 VCC eligible cars back to this event. Registration of Interest Form for these events by Monday 31st August: https:// www.bpvcc.org.nz/hill-climbs 5.
Sunday 29th November: Josephville Hill Climb, Lumsden, Gore Branch.
Parts Shed The parts shed will be open the afternoon of meeting nights between 1 & 4 p.m. The following people can be contacted at anytime if requiring parts or information on parts in our Parts Shed. John Burke 217 8177 & 027 226 0067 or Ray McCulloch 03 217 9667
Library The library will be open on General Meeting nights between 7& 9 p.m. Other times by appointment - phone 021 159 8319
Office Bearers 2026/2027 Patron Chairman Secretary Treasurer
Wayne Nicoll Tony Warren Carol McGarry Sheryn Warren
(03) 215 7136 0272 845 840 027 277 6878 021 712 198
Club Captain Bulletin Editor Welfare Officer Southland VCC website VCC website VCC forum Club rooms
Nev Coutts 027 8961497 daveharris823@gmail.com Dave Harris 027 201 6722 Barry Hayman (03) 216 3639 sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar www.vcc.org.nz www.trash.co.nz/vccbb 46 Ariki Avenue, Otatara, Postal: PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840
southland@vcc.org.nz svcctreasurer@gmail.com
Bar Roster 22/08/2026 29/08/2026 5/09/2026 12/09/2026 19/09/2026 26/09/2026 3/10/2026
Peter Pryde Tony Warren Kevin Brown Dave Birss Tommo Micheal Burt Ron Irwin
Power Tool Battery Repair. Lately I’ve been astounded by the price of replacement batteries for Standard 20V Power Tools. So I’ve decided to offer my services as an Electrical Service Technician to repair or restore these batteries for club members, family and friends. This can normally be achieved at a fraction of the price of a replacement battery, I can quickly have most for them delivered to me direct from the manufacturers. I can handle all the big brands AEG, Black and Decker, Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Ozito, Ryobi, Wolff etc. If you own a battery that is dead, operating slower or with less power than originally, please let me have a look and see what I can do to restore it for you. Further, if you have any old batteries or chargers that you can donate for me to redeploy parts from, that will help all concerned too. Finally I can safely dispose of any old batteries that you aren’t allowed to dispose of in household refuse for no cost to you. Mac McGarry, 021 081 72672
Rumour Notices Copyright of the contents of the “Rumour” magazine rests with the VCC of NZ (Southland Branch) unless otherwise stated. The Rumour is available by email as a PDF file, contact the secretary if you wish to receive it this way. It is also delivered earlier. Views and opinions expressed in the Rumour are those of the authors of the articles and are not necessarily those of the Southland Branch of the VCC of NZ, the Branch Executive or the Editor. Authors of the articles are responsible for the accuracy of the articles and captions. The Editor does not “Fact Check” any article and will only correct obvious mistakes after consultation with the author. Mistakes will be corrected if possible if they are pointed out to the Editor.
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September Rumour Editor Dave is heading to Australia for the Oakland Register of Australia Rally in September so John Burke will be preparing the September Rumour. If you have anything for the Rumour please send it to John johndburke521@gmail.com.
Bathurst Day - October 13th The Clubrooms will be open for the Bathurst 1000 again this year from 10:30am. The race starts at 11:00am. The bar will be open and food will be supplied. Cost will be $20 per person. There will be a sweepstake and raffles. Annie is looking for a number of volunteers to help out with the running of the day. If you can help out please contact Annie (022 514 4006).
1948 to 1954 Chevrolets Richard Potts from Wellington is trying to prepare a list of all 1949 to 1954 Chevrolets in New Zealand. If you have any information for him please send it to Richard at nzclassiccoaches@gmail.com
For Sale 1929 Dodge DA Sedan REG on hold PZ3748. Has been in storage Contact Phil 021 0277 0622 philchch@gmail.com For Sale 1975 Triumph 2.5Ltr TC Good Motor and Transmission. Spent $3000 on clutch master & slave cylinder and new rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders master and slave cylinders. There is a new set of interior carpets (not fitted) This is a project car No WOF or Rego. Offers Phone Allan Wilson 0274748901 For Sale Austin Cambridge This is a project car in Dunedin. Rego on hold. Contact Sarah Marshall marshall19@slingshot.co.nz For Sale 1912 Renault—Restored in 1978 Reg and WoF. Electric start, good hood. Tipping transporter trailer and some spares included. $50,000.00. Contact : Ashley Bell on (03) 215 6154
For Sale Five C49 Tyres on Jaguar 15 inch rims. One unused and four half worn. Contact Arthur Warren phone (03) 217 9378 Wanted to buy 197 Villiers 3 speed gearbox housing Contact Russell McIvor on (03) 217 8481 or Donald Ward 0272947692